Original Research

Dynamic innovation model for ambidextrous SMEs: Insights from a bibliometrics analysis

Darlington T. Chigori, Willie Chinyamurindi, Ellen C. Rungani
South African Journal of Business Management | Vol 55, No 1 | a4282 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v55i1.4282 | © 2024 Darlington T. Chigori, Willie Chinyamurindi, Ellen C. Rungani | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 16 October 2023 | Published: 11 March 2024

About the author(s)

Darlington T. Chigori, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Commerce, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa
Willie Chinyamurindi, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Commerce, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa
Ellen C. Rungani, Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Commerce, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa

Abstract

Purpose: Ambidextrous SME innovations and technology models have led to success stories in the past. They face new challenges due to increasing uncertainty in the business environment. Purpose: The study reviews ambidexterity literature to determine trends and themes existing in the body of literature on ambidexterity.

Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a bibliometric and Vosviewer analysis of 1808 articles published on Scopus database from 1999–2022. The study used several indicators including data overview (scientific production in the area and three field-plot), conceptual structure (co-occurrence network, thematic map, and evolution), keyword analysis, and thematic mapping.

Findings/results: The analysis indicated five main themes on which the ambidexterity literature focuses. The results revealed that the key themes in ambidexterity literature are continuous innovation, knowledge management, dynamic capabilities, entrepreneurial and market orientation, enterprise resource management (ERM), and business performance.

Practical implications: The review highlighted that SMEs struggle more in dynamic business environments. Business changes in recent years have proved the importance of innovation, ERM, knowledge management, and dynamic capabilities as beneficial factors for achieving enhanced performance.

Originality/value: The analysis reveals several links in literature and valuable insights into possible models that can be scaled up and replicated across different industries. Themes in the domain mainly focussed on knowledge management, firm performance, digital transformation, open innovation, dynamic capabilities as well as entrepreneurial and marketing orientation The proposed business model can assist SMEs owners and managers in swiftly adapting to unpredictability in the changing business climate caused by the recent pattern of events.


Keywords

innovation; ambidexterity; sustainability; digital technology; business performance

JEL Codes

O31: Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Metrics

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Crossref Citations

1. Organisational ambidexterity and innovation: a systematic review and unified model of ‘CODEC’ management priorities
Sharifah B. AlKhamees, Christopher M. Durugbo
Management Review Quarterly  year: 2024  
doi: 10.1007/s11301-024-00474-5